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On January 8, 2019, about 1000 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N484AB, experienced a hard landing during an autorotation shortly after takeoff from Garner Field Airport, Uvalde, Texas. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, the student pilot was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The student pilot was practicing basic hovering skills under the supervision of the flight instructor. Due to the high air temperature and minimal airflow over the engine, the engine oil temperature had increased beyond the approved limits. The flight instructor decided to fly a low-altitude circuit along the perimeter of the airport to increase the airflow and cool the engine. The low-altitude circuit was performed at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level and at a speed of about 60 knots. About halfway around the circuit, the oil temperature had returned to normal, and all other engine indications were normal at that time. However, during the turn at the southwest corner of the airport, which was about three-quarters of the way around the circuit, the helicopter began to lose altitude and would not respond to the flight instructor's control inputs. The flight instructor was unable to regain control, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground.

The student pilot was practicing basic hovering skills under the supervision of the flight instructor. Due to the high air temperature and minimal airflow over the engine, the engine oil temperature had increased beyond the approved limits. The flight instructor decided to fly a low-altitude circuit along the perimeter of the airport to increase the airflow and cool the engine. The low-altitude circuit was performed at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level and at a speed of about 60 knots. About halfway around the circuit, the oil temperature had returned to normal, and all other engine indications were normal at that time. However, during the turn at the southwest corner of the airport, which was about three-quarters of the way around the circuit, the helicopter began to lose altitude and would not respond to the flight instructor's control inputs. The flight instructor was unable to regain control, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground.

On November 2, 2018, about 1130 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N1159W, impacted terrain after experiencing a total loss of engine power near the Wichita Valley Airport (F14), Wichita Falls, Texas. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and airline transport pilot were seriously injured and the helicopter exhibited substantial damage throughout. The helicopter was registered to Treblig LLC and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from F14 at about 1105.

On November 4, 2018, about 0001 central standard time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N417WT, impacted terrain near Uvalde, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to and operated by W T Byler company, Inc. as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal fight. The flight departed a private ranch about 2345 en route to San Antonio.

The pilot reported that, while he was spotting deer, the helicopter hit a treetop, damaging the tail rotor. The helicopter began to spin, and the pilot closed the throttle. He landed the helicopter, and it then rolled onto its left side.

The commercial pilot was flying his company's helicopter during a low-altitude cattle herding flight. A witness saw the helicopter maneuvering over power lines; it subsequently descended in a nose-low attitude to ground contact and was consumed by postcrash fire. Both the power lines above the helicopter wreckage and the helicopter itself exhibited damage consistent with in-flight contact with the lines. An onscene examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

The commercial pilot was practicing emergency maneuvers in the helicopter. He completed two successful power recovery practice autorotations; however, during the third, the pilot noted a vibration in the rotor during the landing flare. He reported that, when he initiated the power recovery, the engine power "wasn't there." The pilot then leveled the helicopter and used the collective to soften the landing. Upon contacting the ground, the skids separated from the helicopter and the helicopter rolled onto its side. Examination of the helicopter and engine at the accident site did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On August 21, 2018, about 1218 central daylight time, a Hughes 369FF, N530FU, struck overhead power lines near Granger, Texas. The flight instructor and foreign registered military pilot undergoing instruction sustained fatal injuries and the helicopter was destroyed by post impact fire. The helicopter was registered to Air 1 Sandpoint Helicopters Inc. and operated by Brunner Aerospace under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Georgetown Municipal Airport, Georgetown, Texas, about 1208 and was destined for Taylor Municipal Airport, Taylor, Texas.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's decision to relinquish the helicopter flight controls to a non-rated passenger during a 3 ft hover.

On July 20, 2018, about 1215 central daylight time, a high skid-equipped Bell 206B helicopter, N325CT, lost control after takeoff and impacted terrain near Todd Mission, Texas. The right seat private helicopter pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, and two passengers sustained no injury. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the pilot's private helipad in Pinehurst, Texas, about 0900.

On July 2, 2018, about 1130 central daylight time, an amateur-built Safari 400 helicopter, N326RW, impacted the ground following a loss of control near Aguilares, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injury. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight.

On July 2, 2018, about 1445 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R-22 Beta II helicopter, N830J, sustained substantial damage during a landing after a partial loss of engine power in the traffic pattern at Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), Georgetown, Texas. The left seat commercial pilot and the right seat certificated flight instructor (CFI) sustained no injury. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Veracity Aviation, LLC, Seguin, Texas under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from GTU about 1400.

On June 29, 2018, about 2010 central daylight time, a Robinson helicopter, N787SH, registered to Concho Aviation LLC, of Sterling City, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted the ground for undetermined reasons while on landing approach to its home base of operations in Sterling, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 1958 from a work location on the McEntire Ranch, Sterling City, Texas.

On May 10, 2018, about 1802 central daylight time, an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 280C helicopter, N67RE, impacted trees and terrain following an autorotation after experiencing a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Kerens, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The helicopter departed the Wood County Airport (JDD), Mineola, Texas, at an unknown time, and was destined for a private residence.

On January 8, 2018, at 1345 central standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N797JR, collided with trees and the terrain during an autorotation following a loss of tailrotor effectiveness while in a hover in Albany, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to S2 Helicopter Services and was operated by an individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from a ranch in Albany, Texas, at 1310.